More than 600 children in the Forest of Dean have had to rely on food aid this year - and now the area's Foodbanks are becoming overwhelmed with demand.

Demand at the Forest's Foodbanks in Coleford, Cinderford and Lydney has risen by 20 per cent this year as more people come to rely on emergency food parcels - but donations are staying at the normal level.

In one week in June, Forest Foodbanks had to deal with a 71 per cent increase in need.

Yvonne Wood, volunteer manager for the Forest of Dean Foodbank, said: "It's gone up an awful lot this year. We're seeing big increases in clients coming through the door. Because of that we're not getting enough donations in to keep up with the amount of clients we've got.

"We've got the summer holidays coming up. We always allow mums need extra vouchers to feed their children. But the donations have not gone up with the volume."

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Tinned tomatoes or vegetables, tuna, snacks such as chocolate bars and tea bags are among the items the Forest Foodbank is running low on.

The Forest's Foodbanks, which sees around 40 people each week, have had to rely on Foodbanks in other areas to make sure they're stocked up.

Yvonne Wood sorts donated food into bags at the The Forest Food Bank.

Mrs Wood said low incomes are the main reasons why people in the Forest come to Foodbanks.

She also fears the introduction of Universal Credit in the Forest in November - which will replace benefits such as Jobseekers' Allowance, housing benefits and child tax credits - will cause delays to some payments and see more people relying on food aid.

She said: "It's vital that people help in order for us to keep the Forest fed and keep up with the amount of clients we're getting through the door at the moment.